Published by Sedgefield Development Trust: Company No 4312745 Charity No 1100906 SEDGEFIELD NEWS October 2017 Produced by volunteers for the people of Sedgefield, Bradbury, Mordon and Fishburn Sedgefield Community College has retained is position as County Durham’s highest attaining secondary school—Congratulations! See full article onpage 2. Another blooming success! Sedgefield Racecourse won Silver Gilt. activities, networking, fundraising, Sedgefield struck gold once again in the Bloom Chairman Howard Smith was business involvement.’ The Bloomers recent Northumbria in Bloom awards, surprised but delighted to receive a are very grateful to everyone for the winning gold and Best Small Town. special award for his outstanding terrific community support throughout Judges Robert Germany and Anthea voluntary commitment to Sedgefield in the year. New members are welcome, Stephenson were full of praise for our Bloom. no experience or gardening knowledge ‘picturesque town with so much to see, The judges commended the Bloom necessary. maintained to a high standard, a delight team on all that it achieves within the Keep your eyes peeled for the next to visit.’ community – ‘horticulture, social Bloom fundraiser. They were very impressed by the traditional flower beds created by council gardeners Stephen Young and Ben Gray. The tubs and planters also received high praise, as well as the 700 Bed, designed and planted by volunteer Bloomer Alice Hobson and the stunning wildflower meadow at Wykes Close. Gardens created by the Bloomers at Ceddesfeld Hall won a special gold award, while the judges considered the Stepping Through Time Garden a major achievement. ‘An excellent transformation of a seriously neglected site into an interactive shrubbery with a story.’ Further golds were awarded to the beautiful rose garden at Manor House 1707; Hardwick Hall and Park; the Dun Cow; and the private garden of Ron and Brenda Wright at 61 Station Road. RHS judge Rae Beckwith (centre) presenting gold and Best Small Town to Bloomers (from left to right) Howard and Barbara Smith, Norma Neal, Norman Midgley and Ian Sutherland. 2 Steve’s Nature Diary The natural world month by month: October Congratulations to our class of 2017 Autumn will be well underway when you read this and since we had quite a damp Having recently been recognised by August it is very likely that it will be a good year for fungi and berries. The Woodland OFSTED as an ‘Outstanding’ school in all Trust are asking people to share pictures of signs of autumn using the respects it is perhaps no surprise that #NatureDetectives, whether it is leaves changing colour, autumnal scenes or fungi. following the recent release of GCSE They are also asking people to record changes using the Nature's Calendar website. results Sedgefield Community College We all know that many leaves change colour as autumn approaches but why? has retained is position as County In summer, leaves produce lots of green-coloured chlorophyll, which helps them Durham’s highest attaining secondary make sugary food from sunshine. Chlorophyll production slows down as winter school. approaches so you start to see the other coloured chemicals in the leaves, such as yellow carotenes. But if there’s still some food in a leaf, that turns into anthocyanins, This year, new ‘tougher’ English and which are red. This results in leaves changing colour. The colour mix depends on the Maths examinations presented weather. If it’s cool and grey in August and September, the food in a leaf runs out considerable challenges for both quickly and you get more yellow leaves. If it’s warm and sunny, leaves produce food students and staff across the country for longer and you get more red leaves. (See the Woodland Trust website for more but it would appear that the school took information). this in their stride as the students once again achieved a raft of impressive The Woodland Trust have been monitoring seasonal changes through the Nature’s results. Headteacher Dave Davies Calendar website for many years. They are asking people to choose a rowan tree to commented, ‘I would like to observe this autumn. Visit the tree at least once or twice a week to check the colour congratulate our former year 11 of the leaves. You might find this easier if you choose a tree that you already see students and their parents on what is regularly, for example a tree on your way to work or the shops. Record the date of another outstanding set of results. I am first autumn tinting - when several leaves on the tree have started to change colour. absolutely delighted for both students Record the date of full autumn tinting when all the leaves on the tree have changed and staff who have worked so hard to colour. It may not be possible to record full autumn tinting if the leaves fall before achieve results which have once again they have fully changed colour. The information collected from people all over the seen Sedgefield Community College country is analysed by scientists and contributes to questions linked to weather and continue the trend of students wildlife, and climate change. From leaf buds bursting to blackberries ripening, log on achieving beyond ‘national to https://naturescalendar.woodlandtrust.org.uk/ and tell them what’s happening expectations’. The determination of near you. You'll be contributing to a long biological record that dates back as far as staff and students to achieve the 1736. highest possible grades has certainly paid off, and I cannot commend our Follow the yellow brick road……… students highly enough. Their attitude Sedgefield’s annual Scarecrow Festival took place this August with many locals to learning has been outstanding and joining in the fun. has also acted as a positive influence on our younger students. Despite the overcast weather scarecrows were displayed all across the village with a number of ideas being produced from straw, clothes and even old dolls. Displays Chair of Governors, John Robinson involved Banana Man, the Halloween Howlers and Rapunzel - who almost lost her added, ‘on behalf of the staff, governors golden locks to the wind. and myself, I would like to add my congratulations to our former students Amongst some difficult competition St Edmund’s Pre-school Coffee & Cake Group and hope that they feel that their rd nd took 3 place with Mr Potato Head and 2 place was taken by an elegant Ballet experiences at the college has prepared Dancer who danced across her stage in the village. The winner of Sedgefield them well for their life after Sedgefield Scarecrow Festival 2017 was The Leas Ensemble, The Wizard of Oz. After being blown Community College. I must also take the from Kansas to Sedgefield the characters of the yellow brick road; The Lion, Tin Man, opportunity to thank Mr Davies and his Scarecrow and of course Dorothy looked amazing. staff for ensuring that the children in our area receive such a high quality education’. SEDGEFIELD NEWS Deadline for November edition Monday 16th October News & Advertising: 07572 502 904 Email: [email protected] 55 White House Drive, TS21 3BU Sport: [email protected] Arts & Events: Email: [email protected] Diary: Email: [email protected] Website: www.sedgefieldweb.co.uk 3 Georgian house for sale–and you name the price! Friends of St Edmund’s Church in Sealed bid offers are being invited for a beautiful, three-storey Georgian doll’s Sedgefield and their supporters are house which, say those who have seen it, would make a wonderful birthday or being offered an opportunity to see Christmas present. some of the most precious Anglo- The house comes complete with a range Saxon artefacts in the world - now on of furniture and has been given to St display as part of Durham Cathedral’s Edmund’s Church with a request that much- praised ‘Open Treasure’ the money raised should be put experience. The visit has now been re- towards the cost of running the ancient arranged for Tuesday, October building. The donor has asked to remain 10, which includes a buffet lunch in the anonymous. Cathedral’s Prior’s Hall. A coach will The house measures 28inches high by leave Sedgefield Parish Hall at 11.30am 22 inches deep and 13inches deep and that day and return by 5pm. The cost was assembled by a local cabinet of £26 per head includes everything. maker. Friends have also given early notice of It is now on display at St Edmund’s but their annual festive shopping trip to arrangements to view it when the York on Thursday, December 7th. church is closed can be made with Parish warden Brian Mutch on 01740 622302. Anyone interested in either visit should It will be sold using the ‘sealed bid’ system with a reserve of £250. Bids should be contact Secretary Alison Hodgson on sent to Parish Administrator Rachel Stephenson at 3 Ivy Row, Station Road, 01740 620912 or Membership Sedgefield, TS21 2JT with the envelope clearly marked ‘Doll’s House’ Secretary Brian Mutch on 01740 Closing date for bids is December 1 and the result will be announced at the Church 622302. Gift Day coffee morning on December 8. Letter: Gratitude from victim of Nine-year-old Anna Richards of Sedgefield is pictured checking out the furnishings of attack the house before it goes on the market. I would like to thank the couple that stopped to help me on the morning of A buzz at the Sedgefield Business Network breakfast Sunday 27th August. As I crossed the Attendees at the latest Sedgefield Business Breakfast made a comfortable crowd in road in front of Aubergine café, a white the newly refurbished Fletcher Room at the Parish Hall.